A Roseto man who says he was illegally fired as borough street supervisor and police officer has filed suit against the borough in Northampton County Court.

Anthony Ruggiero Jr. of 163 Roseto Ave. is seeking damages in an action filed by attorney Ronold Karasek. His suit says that he worked for Roseto from 1976 until his June 15 termination, and that when he started work for the borough, he was promised inclusion in the police pension plan.

His wages, which in 1989 were $18,400, also included health benefits for him and his family.

But early this year, he said, he discovered that the borough had not included him in any pension plan and had not been making Social Security deductions from his wages.

And on June 5, he received notice of his termination, effective June 15. The reason stated in the termination notice was his "continued inability to follow the direction of your supervisors."

Ruggiero says that reason is not among those legitimate reasons listed by the borough for termination, and was trumped up by borough officials to get rid of him to evade the pension issue. He also says the vote for his termination was illegal because it did not take place at an advertised council meeting.

He is seeking damages of more than $20,000 for the lost pension and lost wages, and also damages for infliction of emotional distress. The distress claim stems from his allegation that borough officials and employees said he took borough equipment and tools during his employment and at termination.

Borough solicitor Nicholas Sabatine said no promises about a pension were ever made to Ruggiero. "He wasn't entitled to a pension," Sabatine said. "He was only a part-time police officer. His main job was as road supervisor," and he would help police as needed.

The action was taken at a public meeting Ruggiero was expected to attend as road supervisor June 4, Sabatine said. Ruggiero wasn't there, but the action is noted on the record of that meeting, Sabatine said.

The solicitor also noted that borough council's action to terminate Ruggiero -- an at-will employee not covered by the civil service ordinance or a contract -- permitted him to collect unemployment compensation.

As for Ruggiero's contention that comments by elected or appointed borough officials or borough employees made him appear to be a thief, Sabatine said he wasn't aware of any such comments.